Lock Sam Darry has predicted another tough Test in Baltimore if the All Blacks allow the Springboks to maul them the way they did at FNB Stadium.
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry wraps up in the USA on Saturday (11pm SA time) with the Boks carrying a 2-1 series lead.
Darry is confident his side can nullify the Bok maul after Rassie Erasmus’ men repeatedly used their power game to seize control of the third Test.
“Yes, definitely,” Darry said when asked whether the All Blacks can improve their maul defence.
“We did a good job on a few. It’s about trying to find the balance between competing in the air and doing the job on the ground.
“It’s something we’ve got to have a good look at and be able to understand more once we look at the clips. We know we can be better and we will be better.”
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The All Blacks made a strong start at the Calabash, but struggled to maintain their tempo after the break as the Springboks turned the screw.
Darry believes their own mistakes ultimately played into the hosts’ hands.
“I thought we did a good job in the first half of limiting our errors, being disciplined, going deep into phase count and making them defend us, which is where we feel we’re at our best,” he said.
“In the second half, we lost our flow through our own errors; we had poor discipline, and that’s what the Boks feed off.”
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The 26-year-old knows the All Blacks cannot afford to give the Boks the same opportunities in Baltimore.
“They are a quality side that loves to scrum, loves to maul; when you make errors, they capitalise on that,” Darry said.
“I think we could’ve been a bit more clinical in the second half, and try to get our attack going, defuse a few of those high balls, be a bit better at scrum time. It potentially could’ve been better for us.”
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Photo: Floris van Schouwenburg/Gallo Images
The post All Blacks plot answer to Bok maul appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Lock Sam Darry has predicted another tough Test in Baltimore if the All Blacks allow the Springboks to maul them the way they did at FNB Stadium.
The post All Blacks plot answer to Bok maul appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
